Dog rescue group seeks funding boost

It has been seven years since Second Chance Pet Rescue joined forces with the Corning Animal Shelter, and the dog-saving organization feels it is due a little more money for its efforts.

Debbie Eaglebarger, president of the rescue group and caretaker of the shelter, took her case before the Corning City Council on Tuesday, asking the council to consider raising the shelter’s fees and giving a portion of the increase to Second Chance.

“Your request to have part of the fees go to Second Chance will have to be included in our budget sessions for the next fiscal year,” said Mayor Gary Strack. “As for the increase in shelter fees, we will direct city staff to prepare a fee analysis study on the proposal and bring it back to the council.”

In her request, Eaglebarger asked that the entire shelter dog adoption fee go to Second Chance, other remaining fees be split between the city and the rescue organization, and the city provide a $500 a month stipend to Second Chance for performing animal care duties.

Currently, Eaglebarger’s agreement with the city is for her to be caretaker of facility including cleaning pens and feeding dogs once a day in exchange for the city providing her with a residence (at the shelter site on Rawson Road) and paying utilities, according to Corning police Chief Tony Cardenas. The Police Department oversees the city’s animal enforcement and shelter.

“We are taking a look at her request,” said Cardenas.

During her presentation, Eaglebarger explained she has been at the shelter for seven years and during that time she, volunteers, and Corning community service officers have reduced the percentage of dogs killed from 86 percent to 5 percent.

“Second Chance is at the shelter when animal control is gone. We are there at 9 p.m. when a person comes home from dinner and realizes their dog is gone,” Eaglebarger said.

Councilwoman Toni Parkins attested to that, “You were the first person I called when my dog got lost.”

Eaglebarger said it makes the city look good when someone is there to meet the community’s needs.

She explained to the council the current fees do not cover the shelter’s costs including the services she and her volunteers provide.

“The time has come to evaluate and raise all fees in shelter operations to account for actual costs that occur,” Eaglebarger said.

Contact Julie R. Johnson at 824-8464 or jjohnson@tcnpress.com.